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As part of its commitment to providing information to the community and concerned parties in an accessible, user-friendly and interactive manner, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) today unveils the ‘E-Villa Configurator’, a bespoke new awareness tool for villa owners and developers aiming to comply with Estidama’s One Pearl Rating System, the mandatory rating for all private villa developments in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Configured to operate across multiple platforms and applications such as the Ipad, the internet, and also on DVD, the E-Villa configurator encompasses the six categories of the Estidama One Pearl Rating (PRS), namely: Integrated Design Process (IDP), Natural systems, Livable villas, Precious water, Resourceful energy, and Stewarding materials.

By clicking on any of the categories, users will be able to see how its effect will be reflected on the final look and feel of the villa and what benefits will be gained, especially with regards to water and energy.

Engineer Nader Al Awlaqi, Director of Estidama and Developments, UPC, said, “Building on the success of the Villa Manual launched by UPC last year, which highlights in detailed steps what villa owners need to do in order to achieve the mandatory One Pearl villa, we wanted to go the extra mile and provide owners with an interactive tool that visually demonstrates the Pearl Rating System requirements and benefits”.

“We are confident that current and potential villa owners and developers will highly appreciate this new tool. The E-Villa configurator will be available on the UPC website and also on a speical DVD free of charge along with the Villa Manual,” he added.

Last year, UPC, together with the Municipal System, unveiled the Estidama Pearl Villa Manual, a detailed manual designed to assist villa owners, design consultants, contractors and suppliers in maintaining Estidama standards during the villa construction process. The manual provides an overview of the Estidama Pearl Villa Rating System (PVRS) and step-by-step guidance on the application process for new and existing users of the programme, covering important topics and issues. It also introduces a simplified compliance procedure for product selection and offers advice on how to select materials and suppliers.

To help implement PRS for villas, UPC - in collaboration with the Department of Municipal Affairs and the three municipalities - hosted several Estidama educational workshops dedicated to villa owners in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region last year. These workshops saw Estidama planners from the UPC helping private individuals, who either own or plan to build their own villa, better understand the requirements of Estidama, the benefits of sustainability, and the steps to apply for the mandatory One Pearl rating for all properties in Abu Dhabi.

“Awareness, education and knowledge are the main drivers that empower behavioural change and a change in mindsets of individuals towards sustainability is a core part of ensuring that Estidama gradually and positively impacts our environment,” Al Awlaqi concluded.

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Background information

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was created by Emiri Decree number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007. Chaired by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.More...

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council (UPC) was created by Emiri Decree number 23 of the year 2007 and is the agency responsible for the future of Abu Dhabi's urban environments, and the expert authority behind the visionary Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan published September 2007. Chaired by His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council defines the shape of the Emirate, ensuring factors such as sustainability, infrastructure capacity, community planning and quality of life, by overseeing development across the city and the Emirate as a whole. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council ensures best practice in planning for both new and existing urban areas.

The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council's primary purpose is to deliver upon the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Ruler of Abu Dhabi for the continued fulfillment of the grand design envisaged by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi as a global capital city. By drawing on urban planning expertise locally, throughout the GCC and around the world, the UPC strives to be a global authority on the future of urban planning and design.

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Hill & Knowlton is a leading international communications consultancy, providing services to local, multinational and global clients. The firm is headquartered in New York, with 79 offices in 44 countries, as well as an extensive associate network.